New Program Offers Drivers Financial Incentives To Switch To Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

MISSION HILLS (CBSLA.com) — A new program is giving drivers thousands of dollars in rebates to replace high-polluting vehicles.

Jasmine Gallardo of Mission Hills recently bought a Kia Optima by taking advantage of the financial incentive.

"I was driving a 2003 Chevy Impala. A gas guzzler," said Gallardo, who got $7,000 for her trade-in thanks to the South Coast Air Quality Management District's Replace Your Ride program.

The program's goal is to get low- and moderate-income car owners in disadvantaged communities to scrap older, higher polluting cars and buy fuel-efficient gasoline, hybrid and plug-in options.

"Anything over 30 miles per gallon as far as a new car goes. And the incentives, they range from $2,500 all the way to $9,500," said Niaz Fouladbakhsh of Car Pros Kia, which is a participant.

A single person making less than $26,258 annually can qualify. For a family of four, it's just under $54,000 to qualify. The voucher is less for those who make more.

The general manager at the dealership says the program is different from the Cash for Clunkers program of 2009.

"Cash for Clunkers was only to get a new car, brand new car. But with this program, you can get a used vehicle up to 7 [or] 8 years old," said Edwin Menasaka, the general manager of Car Pros Kia.

In order to qualify, the consumer's old trade-in has to be powered by gasoline or diesel and weigh less than 10,000 pounds.

Since switching to a hybrid, Gallardo says, she's seen a 30 percent drop in her gas bill. She says that before applying for the program, her old car was breaking down.

"I estimated I was going to spend about $4,000 in maintenance throughout the year. And I said, 'You know what, I'd rather spend $4,000 in payments for a whole year than on a car that's already spending so much gas," she said.